Steven Smith previously led Australia from 2015 to 2018. (AP Photo)

Ravi Shastri pointed out Steve Smith’s remarkable ability to adapt and improvise, expecting his captaincy in the first Ashes Test in Perth to bring out his best performance.

Cricket Australia announced on Monday that designated skipper Pat Cummins will miss the opening Test due to a lumbar bone stress injury in his back. With Cummins sidelined for the fixture starting on November 21, Smith will step in as captain.

Smith previously led Australia from 2015 to 2018 in 32 Tests, achieving 17 wins, 10 losses, and five draws. Post his tenure, Smith occasionally took up the captaincy role. His batting form has been outstanding, amassing 4,139 runs in 40 Tests, with an average of 68.98, including 17 centuries and 14 fifties, and a highest score of 239.

Shastri, who observed Smith’s leadership during his time as India’s head coach, admires Smith’s ability to adjust to varying conditions and innovate when necessary.

“What’s always amazed me about Steve is his ability to adapt to different conditions and improvise, even in the middle of a series, sometimes in the middle of an innings. Captaincy will get the best out of him, that’s for sure. He’ll be tuned on, absolutely,” Shastri said to Fox Cricket.

On Wednesday, Smith marked his return to competitive cricket with a stellar 118 for New South Wales against Queensland at the Gabba in the Sheffield Shield. Smith’s innings featured 20 boundaries and a six during his 176-ball performance, indicating a strong return to form.

The 36-year-old also warned their arch-rival, asserting that the Ben Stokes-led side would face green-top pitches in Australia, unlike the more lifeless pitches found in England.

“The conditions are going to be different here in Australia, aren’t they? I think the last three or four years have probably been as challenging for batters as we have seen for a long time, particularly the top order,” Smith remarked at The Gabba.

With ANI Inputs